Daniel Hackett from the line completes an extraordinary team game, with players in double digit, a lot of obstacles to overcome, like the contagious foul trouble the big men were facing (three power forwards fouled out), a slow start and the constant free throws attempted by Fenerbahce. Gentile is the one launching Olimpia on a break-away, Hackett keeps Fenerbahce from rallying, in the middle of the game there are Kangur’s missiles, Langford drives and during the most difficult stretch Jerrells scored eight consecutive points. Olimpia won 90-85, third win in the Top 16. A night for strong-hearted fans, 10.290 people in the stands. A Classic Olimpia’s Night.

THE FIRST HALF – Fenerbahce uses all its power inside to grab rebounds and draws fouls (13 foul shots in the first quarter). Gasper Vidmar goes to the line every other possession, Nemanja Bjelica uses his height to push his team up 16-8 causing two fouls by Melli and three by Wallace. Fenerbahce’s lead is staying between five and eight points and it’s seven at the end of the first when Keith Langford doen’t score but produces a couple of decisive assists to Gani Lawal. 10 of the 18 Olimpia’s points come from the center position. Fenerbahce explodes to a nine-point lead early in the second after a thunderous dunk by Bjelica. Melli re-enters the game with two fouls, produces a block over the same Bjelica, Langford attacks the rim, Jerrells has a big steal with a fastbreak and Olimpia returns within three, 26-29. When David Moss makes a three, Olimpia is tying up at 36 but Nicolò Melli and CJ Wallace both have four fouls (Melli got a technical). Hackett surpasses from the line, then he dishes an assist for Gentile after the same Gentile makes a big three responding to Kleiza’s free throws. When Gentile scores his seventh points, Olimpia is up 44-40. Obradovic calls a time-out but Olimpia doesn’t stop: Hackett scores on a cost-to-coast drive and at the buzzer Gentile makes a tremendous three to go up 49-40.

THE SECOND HALF – Kristjan Kangur regains confidence in his shot, makes two three-pointers in the first four minutes of the second halfadding up to the one made by Hackett and to a buzzer-beater from mid-range by Gentile. Olimpia opens a 16-point lead, 60-44, Gentile scores another incredible shot from the corner using the left hand but Hackett commits his third foul and Fenerbahce is still physically imposing cloise to the basket with Kleiza and Bjelica. it is within 11 with 3’11” remaining in the third forcing Coach Banchi to call a time-out. Bojan Bogdanovic, the Euroleague leading scorer, scoreless in the first half, attack, earns free throws and extends the good Fenerbahce run to get his team within six, 64-58 at the end of the third. The offensive slumps continues early in the fourth, when Preldzic makes a big basket with the 24-second clock winding down. It’s 64-62 Olimpia. Here Jerrells carries the team on his shoulders, makes a three, scores on a drive, makes another three and with eight points in a row pushes Olimpia up 72-64 again. Bogdanovic and Bjelica make two consecutive threes. But Fenerbahce is in the penalty, Hackett and Jerrells attack the rim, earning trips to the line and EA7 can breathe, 77-70. But Fenerbahce doesn’t go away, Kleiza goes to the line while Olimpia loses Wallace and Melli because of the fouls with two minutes left. When Fenerbahce is within three again, Langford explodes with a drive, Bogdanovic makes only foul shot, Kangur from the corner makes his fourth threes. Then Langford makes two opening up a seven-point lead again, 86-79. Obradovic calls for fouling systematically. Hackett makes two, then two more and in spite of Kleiza’s final show, Olimpia wins a great game.

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